Immediate Obedience

What Does Immediate Obedience Look Like?

Oy.  This word.  This four syllable word.  This word has been haunting me.

I think that generally speaking I am an obedient person.  Yes I have my mistakes and failures like everyone else, but I typically tend to be obedient.  But this word immediate.  It keeps glaring at me.  I keep seeing it pop up again and again next to words like obedience, response, change, etc.

Why do I struggle with this?

Why do I have to take the long road?  Why do I hesitate?  Why do I entertain other options?  Why isn't my first response obedience?

"The moment God speaks to you is the time He wants you to respond to Him."  This sentence from Experiencing God popped out at me and has gripped my heart for the past few weeks.  I really want my response to be immediate, but it usually isn't.

I hesitated when God told me to start this blog.  He told me back in April when I was in Ethiopia and journaling like crazy.  He told me to share what I write about.  I fully intended to start blogging all of these thoughts back in April.  Before long April was May, then June, then July, and well, you get the picture.  I used to blog regularly and share activities I did with my kids, and it took up quite a bit of time.  I told myself I would start this one once I had enough time.  Then I decided I wouldn't start it, because I didn't think anyone would read it.  I kept coming up with excuses to put off starting this blog until I finally admitted to myself that the reason I didn't want to write had nothing to do with my excuses and everything to do with fear.

Fear of vulnerability.
Fear of exposure.
Fear of judgement.
Fear of criticism.
Fear of being misunderstood.

I could go on and on.  I let fear get in the way of being obedient to what God specifically told me to do.  I made something He called me to do about my own insecurities and fears instead of about Him and what He wants to do though me for His glory.  I still don't know why He told me to write this blog, but I do know, as I shared when I talked about the importance of community, that when I finally decided to be obedient, I was blessed.  Despite my hesitation and procrastination, God still blessed me abundantly when I finally did what He told me and opened up and started writing.  He blessed me with encouragement and community.

Who knows what blessings I may have missed out on by not writing immediately when He first told me to.

John 14:15 - If you love Me, keep My commands.

It's not if you love Me think about My commands for a few months then obey.  It's not if you love Me work My commands into your life when they are convenient.  It's pretty simple.  "If you love Me, keep My commands."  Period.

God's Timing is Best

I posted this on Instagram a couple weeks ago when I read it, highlights and all.  "God always gets it right first time."

I feel like I need that printed and blown up, so I can read it again and again.  GOD ALWAYS GETS IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME.  I know this.   I believe this with all my heart.  I want my actions to reflect that.  I want my immediate response to be one of obedience.  His plan and His purpose is always right, and His timing is much better than mine.

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